1. The Rivers Of France: The Loire and The Seine By Advik Iyer Guha Class 10 Sishu Griha

2. The Important Rivers of France Loire (1,010 km) Loire (1,010 km) Seine (770 km) Seine (770 km) Garonne (650 km) Garonne (650 km) Rhone(522 km) Rhone(522 km)

3. The Rivers of France

4. The Importance of Rivers Important medium for transport and for industrial and urban development. Important medium for transport and for industrial and urban development. Offer ideal conditions for recreation: Barge cruising, sailing, whitewater rafting etc. Offer ideal conditions for recreation: Barge cruising, sailing, whitewater rafting etc. Backbone of France's water system Backbone of France's water system

5. The Loire River The longest river in France

6. Introduction It rises in the southern Massif Central (Cévennes) and flows north and west for 1,020 km. It rises in the southern Massif Central (Cévennes) and flows north and west for 1,020 km. Flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and enters south of the Bretagne peninsula. Flows into the Atlantic Ocean, and enters south of the Bretagne peninsula. Its major tributary is the Allier. Its major tributary is the Allier. It drains an area of about 45,000 square miles (117,000 square km). It drains an area of about 45,000 square miles (117,000 square km).

8. Upper Course Flows through a succession of downfaulted, flat- floored basins set in the highlands of the Massif Central. Flows through a succession of downfaulted, flat- floored basins set in the highlands of the Massif Central. After being joined by the Allier, the greatly enlarged stream flows across the limestone platform of Berry, and its valley becomes only a slight groove. After being joined by the Allier, the greatly enlarged stream flows across the limestone platform of Berry, and its valley becomes only a slight groove. The upper course of the Loire tends to flow north toward the centre of the Paris Basin, but it then flows westward to the sea by its long estuary at Nantes. The upper course of the Loire tends to flow north toward the centre of the Paris Basin, but it then flows westward to the sea by its long estuary at Nantes.

9. Climate in the Basin The Loire Basin has a temperate maritime climate, with no consistent dry season and with heavy precipitation in its upper basin. The Loire Basin has a temperate maritime climate, with no consistent dry season and with heavy precipitation in its upper basin.maritime climatedry seasonmaritime climatedry season It is also subject to violent autumn storms from the Mediterranean.\ It is also subject to violent autumn storms from the Mediterranean.\ The river is highest in late winter; floods may occur in any month, though normally not in July and August. The river is highest in late winter; floods may occur in any month, though normally not in July and August.

10. Change in Use of river In its middle course, it is a shallow but steep-sided groove. Its once-marshy floodplain is protected from flooding by levées(“embankments”) In its middle course, it is a shallow but steep-sided groove. Its once-marshy floodplain is protected from flooding by levées(“embankments”)levées Effective agricultural reclamation began in the 14th century and was stimulated in the 15th and 16th centuries. Effective agricultural reclamation began in the 14th century and was stimulated in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 18th century, the river was the great highway for movement of goods, and the cities on its banks were busy ports. In the 18th century, the river was the great highway for movement of goods, and the cities on its banks were busy ports.

12. Change in Use of river During the period of developing river traffic, canal links were built connecting the Loire with the Seine system, which allowed products to be carried to Paris. During the period of developing river traffic, canal links were built connecting the Loire with the Seine system, which allowed products to be carried to Paris.Paris These connecting canals are too narrow for modern vessels, and their use is limited. These connecting canals are too narrow for modern vessels, and their use is limited. Left behind by modern developments, the Loire countryside remains predominantly rural, Old World, and little affected by modern industry. Left behind by modern developments, the Loire countryside remains predominantly rural, Old World, and little affected by modern industry.

13. Change in Use of river During the 19th century, the Loire River transported approximately 1843,70,000 people with the use of steam-driven boats, however the implementation of rail systems saw the decline in the navigational use. During the 19th century, the Loire River transported approximately 1843,70,000 people with the use of steam-driven boats, however the implementation of rail systems saw the decline in the navigational use. UNESCO adorned the stretch of river between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire as a World Heritage site. UNESCO adorned the stretch of river between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire as a World Heritage site. It was recognised for its exquisite, cultural landscape - boasting exceptional views of many historical cities, the magnificent chateaux of the Loire Valley and pastoral lands which have been fashioned by centuries of agricultural practices. It was recognised for its exquisite, cultural landscape - boasting exceptional views of many historical cities, the magnificent chateaux of the Loire Valley and pastoral lands which have been fashioned by centuries of agricultural practices.landscapechateaux landscapechateaux

14. The Loire River

15. The chateaux de la Loire

18. The Seine River the second longest river in France the second longest river in France

19. Introduction The Seine River rises on the Langres plateau, 18 mi (30 km) northwest of Dijon, and flows through downtown Paris. The Seine River rises on the Langres plateau, 18 mi (30 km) northwest of Dijon, and flows through downtown Paris. It empties into the English Channel at Le Havre after a course of 485 mi (780 km). It empties into the English Channel at Le Havre after a course of 485 mi (780 km). Its tributaries include the Marne and Oise rivers. Its tributaries include the Marne and Oise rivers. It drains an area of about 30,400 sq mi (78,700 sq km) in northern France. It drains an area of about 30,400 sq mi (78,700 sq km) in northern France. Its network carries most of France’s inland waterway traffic due to its calm stream and great volume of water. Its network carries most of France’s inland waterway traffic due to its calm stream and great volume of water.

20. Introduction Until 19th century, one could find "water sellers" drawing water from the Seine and carrying it to each household. Until 19th century, one could find "water sellers" drawing water from the Seine and carrying it to each household. It serves as a watercourse that carries down an enormous quantity of sewage water of the city; It serves as a watercourse that carries down an enormous quantity of sewage water of the city; After 19th century, the river improvements of large scale, such as building lock gates, dredging and shoreline protection works, were carried out and the Seine became the way we see it today. After 19th century, the river improvements of large scale, such as building lock gates, dredging and shoreline protection works, were carried out and the Seine became the way we see it today. The Seine has inspired countless chansons, paintings, and literature. The Seine has inspired countless chansons, paintings, and literature.

21. Physical features » Physiography The Seine rises at 1,545 feet (471 metres) above sea level in Burgundy. The Seine rises at 1,545 feet (471 metres) above sea level in Burgundy.sea levelsea level Flowing northwest, it enters Champagne above Troyes and traverses the dry chalk plateau in a well-defined trench. Flowing northwest, it enters Champagne above Troyes and traverses the dry chalk plateau in a well-defined trench. Joined by the Aube near Romilly, and it receives the Yonne at Montereau. Joined by the Aube near Romilly, and it receives the Yonne at Montereau.Yonne Turning northwest again, the Seine crosses the Île-de-France toward Paris. Turning northwest again, the Seine crosses the Île-de-France toward Paris. As it enters Paris, it is joined by its great tributary the Marne on the right, and, after traversing the metropolis, it receives the Oise, also on the right. As it enters Paris, it is joined by its great tributary the Marne on the right, and, after traversing the metropolis, it receives the Oise, also on the right. In its passage through Paris, the river has been trained and narrowed between riverside quays. the Seine passes below Mantes- la-Jolie across Normandy toward its estuary in the English Channel. In its passage through Paris, the river has been trained and narrowed between riverside quays. the Seine passes below Mantes- la-Jolie across Normandy toward its estuary in the English Channel.

22. The Seine, especially below Paris, is a great traffic highway. It links Paris with the sea and the huge maritime port of Le Havre. Vessels drawing up to 10 feet (3.2 metres) can reach the quays of Paris. The lower Seine system is connected with that of the Rhine by way of the Marne, and the Oise links it with the waterways of Belgium. The links with the Loire waterway and with the Saône-Rhône, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries when connecting canals were built, are now of minor importance. The water of the Seine is an important resource for the riverine population. Large electric power stations, both thermal and nuclear, draw their cooling water from the river. In addition, half of the water used in the region around Paris, both for industry and for human consumption, and three-fourths of the water used in the region between Rouen and Le Havre, is taken from the river. The Economy

23. Development of the river Although the regime of the Seine is relatively moderate, improvements have been considered necessary since the beginning of the 19th century. Although the regime of the Seine is relatively moderate, improvements have been considered necessary since the beginning of the 19th century. To improve navigation, the water level was raised by means of dams and by storage reservoirs. To improve navigation, the water level was raised by means of dams and by storage reservoirs. Lake Settons, originally designed for the flotation of wood, and other reservoirs have proved useful in reducing floods as well as in ensuring a constant water supply in summer. Lake Settons, originally designed for the flotation of wood, and other reservoirs have proved useful in reducing floods as well as in ensuring a constant water supply in summer. Upstream from the basin four large storage reservoirs have been built since 1950 on the Yonne, Marne, and Aube, as well as on the Seine itself. Upstream from the basin four large storage reservoirs have been built since 1950 on the Yonne, Marne, and Aube, as well as on the Seine itself. The Seine Reservoir, for example, covers some 6,175 acres, while the Marne Reservoir, with an area of about 11,900 acres, is the largest artificial lake in western Europe. The Seine Reservoir, for example, covers some 6,175 acres, while the Marne Reservoir, with an area of about 11,900 acres, is the largest artificial lake in western Europe. Surrounded by woodland and countryside, these reservoirs have become bird sanctuaries and tourist attractions in a new nature. Surrounded by woodland and countryside, these reservoirs have become bird sanctuaries and tourist attractions in a new nature reserve.

24. Environmental Aspect The Seine used to be heavily polluted, with many factories dumping their waste directly into the river. The Seine used to be heavily polluted, with many factories dumping their waste directly into the river. By the 1950s there were only four or five species of fish left. By the 1950s there were only four or five species of fish left. Strict environmental regulations and water treatment technology have cleaned up the river. Strict environmental regulations and water treatment technology have cleaned up the river. Today there are over three dozen species of fish (silver carp, catfish, pike perch, eels) and an abundance of aquatic birds and plants. Today there are over three dozen species of fish (silver carp, catfish, pike perch, eels) and an abundance of aquatic birds and plants. The Seine is still used by commercial shipping barges, although most of the boats passing under the scenic bridges of Paris are pleasure craft – such as sightseeing or dinner cruises. The Seine is still used by commercial shipping barges, although most of the boats passing under the scenic bridges of Paris are pleasure craft – such as sightseeing or dinner cruises.

25. The Notre Dame Cathedral During the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair, and city planners began to contemplate tearing it down. French novelist Victor Hugo, an admirer of the cathedral, wrote his novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame (originally titled Notre Dame de Paris) in part to raise awareness of the cathedral's heritage, which sparked renewed interest in the cathedral's fate. A campaign to collect funds to save the cathedral followed, culminating in the 1845 restorations.Victor HugoThe Hunchback of Notre Dame

26. The Eiffel Tower (French: Tour Eiffel) is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the Seine River in Paris. The tower has become a global icon of France and is one of the Wonders of the modern world. The Eiffel tower

27. Seine River Map Below is the map of the Seine and the Rhone river

28. The Path of the Seine River

30. A cruise boat on The Seine

32. The Seine at night